The Best Lacrosse Sticks (2019 Reviews)

Lacrosse is a team sport played with a ball and a long stick with a net at the end. Each player’s stick is used to carry, pass, and throw the ball, making it the most important piece of equipment on the field. If you or your child is playing lacrosse, you’ll need to purchase a lacrosse stick.

We’ve reviewed dozens of lacrosse sticks so we could recommend the best to our readers. We’ve considered the shapes and materials of the shafts, the shape and size of the heads, and how much the sticks can be adjusted. We’ve focused on complete sticks, which are good for beginners and intermediate players.

Top pick

STX Mens Stallion 200 Lacrosse Stick

Complete stick helps players hone fundamental skills

The STX Mens Stallion 200 Lacrosse Stick stood out as the clear winner when it came to choosing the best of the best. It’s reasonably priced and is designed to be easy to use, which makes it great for beginner and intermediate players. The mid-high pocket and the gloss grip will make it a favorite complete stick.

Our Top Pick: STX Mens Stallion 200

The STX Mens Stallion 200 is an excellent pick for a high school or college student who is still learning the fundamentals of the sport. It meets the NCAA and NFHS requirements, making it legal to use on high school and college teams. The stick features soft mesh stringing for easy ball control, and the alloy handle has “memory marker” graphics.

This stick is best for those playing in attack, midfield, or face-off positions. It has a 30-inch shaft and weighs less than a pound, making it easy to carry on and off the field. For a player who is working on form and learning the basics of the game, this lacrosse stick is a solid choice.

STX Mens Stallion 200 Key Features:

Soft mesh stringing

Alloy handle

Memory marker graphics

Meets NCAA and NFHS requirements

Our Runner-Up Pick: Youper Complete Lacrosse Stick

Runner up

Youper Complete Lacrosse Stick

An attractive, durable choice for beginners

The Youper Complete Lacrosse Stick is a complete stick with several features that make it great for beginner and intermediate lacrosse players with a sense of style. It has a PP injection head and the net is made of terylene for great stability. Weighing in at just under a pound, you will find it easy to carry during play and also before and after a game.

The shaft is made of 6000 series aluminum alloy and the logo is printed with new water transfer printing technology to prevent fading and discoloration. The handle is protected by cow leather for excellent durability and grip.

The Franklin Sports Mini Pro Style Venom Lacrosse Stick & Ball Set is perfect for the budding player who needs an inexpensive, lightweight stick and ball to practice with. It features a pro-style strung head with a deep pocket that is great for beginners. The shaft is thinner than average and it weighs in at under 12 ounces, so it’s good for youth players who are just starting out.

The full-color graphic wrap brings some fun into the game, and the translucent injection head and EVA foam stop are both attractive and functional. You can’t go wrong with this value-priced set!

Top Goalie Stick Pick: STX Lacrosse Shield 100 Goalie Complete Stick

Top goalie stick pick

STX Lacrosse Shield 100 Goalie Complete Stick

Excellent for recreational level goalies

$69.99 USD

The STX Lacrosse Shield 100 Goalie Complete Stickis great for goalies who play at the high school level or on a recreational league. The head is strung with 12-diamond semi-hard mesh for durability, and it should stand up to years of use.

This complete stick includes a 30-inch white handle. The whole thing weighs about 1.5 lbs, making it a fairly lightweight stick for young players to learn the basics of being a lacrosse goalie.

STX Lacrosse Shield 100 Key Features:

Wide head for ease of use

Durable mesh head

Includes handle

Top Youth Pick: STX Lacrosse Junior Stinger Beginners Lacrosse Stick

Top youth pick

STX Lacrosse Junior Stinger Beginners Lacrosse Stick

Good choice for young players

$26.99 USD

The STX Lacrosse Junior Stinger Beginners Lacrosse Stick is designed for young players who have not yet reached high school age. Note that it is not the proper size for a high school league, but it is perfect for children and pre-teens who want to learn the basics of the sport.

The shorter length and thin handle make it easy for smaller hands to grip and use. The soft mesh pocket makes catching simple, and the molded material is soft and forgiving. It can be used with a regular-sized lacrosse ball; no need to pick up a youth ball.

STX Lacrosse Junior Stinger Beginners Lacrosse Stick Key Features:

Sturdy head for ease of use

Metal shaft

Standard sized head (but non-standard length shaft)

Soft mesh pocket

Who Should Buy a Lacrosse Stick

Individuals who want to play lacrosse or who are on a team should buy a lacrosse stick. Lacrosse is a game played in recreational leagues, high school teams, and college teams. Children can learn to play lacrosse with a youth stick; once they understand the basics and are approaching the teen years, they can switch to a stick made for men or women. Goalies need a different type of stick to play their position.

For people who are unsure as to whether lacrosse is the right sport for them, they might be a good candidate if they enjoy team sports, would like to combine the skills of multiple sports, and would like the challenge of learning something new. Players don’t have to be particularly tall or muscular; in fact, being small and fast could be an advantage, so don’t rule out lacrosse based on concerns about your physical size.

Top pick

STX Mens Stallion 200 Lacrosse Stick

Complete stick helps players hone fundamental skills

Important Features to Consider

A lacrosse stick should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when purchasing a lacrosse stick for you or your child.

Length. Depending on the position you are playing, you’ll want to make sure the stick you choose has the appropriate length. Children should have a stick that they can use comfortably; it doesn’t matter which position they are playing. For adult players, however, you’ll want a longer stick (52 to 72 inches) if you are a defensive player and a shorter stick (40 to 42 inches) if you are an attacker.

Handle. Most lacrosse stick handles are made of metal and most, though not all, have an octagonal shape for better grip. Some come with additional grippers to make it easy to hold onto. Try different types of handles to see which is most comfortable in your hand. Note that handles for children are often thinner than the standard size to be more appropriate for small hands.

Head. The size of the head will need to correspond to the rules of the league governing the team you or your child is playing on. High school and college leagues have different regulations about which types of heads are allowed. Most complete sticks for adults will have universal heads, which are allowed at all levels of lacrosse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of lacrosse sticks?

Lacrosse sticks for beginners are sold as one complete unit. Once you progress past the beginner level, you might want to switch to a separate shaft and head. This is because the stick will be customized to your specifications.

If you are purchasing a complete stick, there are several options: You can buy a shorter stick for attack and midfield positions or a longer stick for defensive positions. In addition, there are also goalie sticks that have a long shaft and a wider head.

While youth players all use the same type of stick, men and women use sticks with different types of mesh. Women’s sticks usually have leathers “shooters” in their mesh, while men’s sticks feature softer mesh. In addition, women’s sticks are shorter than men’s.

What are the parts of a lacrosse stick?

While complete lacrosse sticks are purchased as one unit, there are several different parts. The shaft is the long “stick” part that includes the handle. Some handles have a grip made out of leather or a moldable material, while others are just the metal that makes up the rest of the shaft. The head is the top part that includes the mesh pocket.

How do I know what size lacrosse stick to buy?

Youth players should buy the size stick that is comfortable and easy for them to use. It does not have to be of a legal size as long as they are not playing in a high school or college league. Those in high school and college leagues need to choose lacrosse sticks that meet the league regulations. In general, women’s sticks are shorter than men’s, and those used by players in attack positions are shorter than those used by players in defensive positions.

What were original lacrosse sticks made of?

Lacrosse sticks have certainly come a long way! The first sticks were made of wood and had no netting. Instead, the head was also made of wood and resembled a large wooden spoon. Many sticks were carved with intricate designs. As time went on, “netting” was made with deer sinew to create a softer head. The lacrosse balls were made of deerskin and stuffed with deer hair.

Other Lacrosse Sticks We Reviewed

Top pick

STX Mens Stallion 200 Lacrosse Stick

Complete stick helps players hone fundamental skills

We looked at 20 other lacrosse sticks. Even though they didn’t make our top 5, they are still excellent choices. While we have tried to link to Amazon products due to our knowledge of Amazon’s quality and reliability, not all of the best lacrosse sticks were available through Amazon. In those cases, we have linked to other reputable retailers.

This stick features unique angle tilt technology that carries the ball higher in the pocket than any other stick. Women can also enjoy the carbon technology shaft that is often reserved for men’s sticks.

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Michelle Kulas has been writing professionally for over a decade in a variety of niches for both large and small businesses. When she isn’t crafting copy, Michelle enjoys cooking, volunteering with foreign exchange students, and spending time with her family in sunny Southwest Florida.

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